Program: Master of Science in Space Studies
Home Country: Malaysia
Languages: English, Mandarin Chinese, Malay, some Taiwanese Hokkian
Pronouns: He/him
Aileen Wee was born and raised in Malaysia, and has been passionate in all things space ever since. She first obtained her Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology at UCSI University Malaysia and worked as a Dengue Researcher at Sunway University. Since 2020, Aileen has been actively involved with the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), a non-profit organization in support of the United Nations Program on Space Applications. She is currently serving her term as the National Point of Contact (NPoC) of Malaysia, where she participated and organized several events including the 10th Asia-Pacific Space Generation Workshop at the Maldives, hosted talks about opportunities in space at Sunway University, and represented SGAC at the 2023 Langkawi International Aerospace and Maritime Exhibition (LIMA) and Langkawi International Space Forum (LISF), which marked the first collaboration between SGAC and the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA). She was also the SGAC representative for the Outer Space Treaty Dialogue by invitation of MYSA and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) held at Putrajaya, Malaysia, which in part has contributed to Malaysia’s goal in ratifying several UN Outer Space Treaties under the United Nations Committee of on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) in lieu of the Malaysian Space Exploration 2030 (MSE2030) blueprint. In 2024, she received the Asia-Pacific Space Leaders Award.
Aileen was also previously involved in Astrobiology. She was a Visiting Scholar and Research Associate at the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science under the Young Scientist Program. With BMSIS, she helped develop the online repository, Knowledge Base, of potential biosignatures in a collaboration internship with the Center for Life Detection Science of NASA Ames. She is currently also an Analysis Working Group Member for NASA's GeneLab.
Her other experiences include working in the toxicology and microbiology laboratory as an intern at the Department of Chemistry in Malaysia. Currently, Aileen seeks to specialize her career in the space sector. She hopes to develop and expand the field especially in the Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asian region.
What I like about Rice/Houston
Their commitment to maintain high academic standards, the community, and as a space nerd, Rice's significant history and role that led to the first man on the moon! What I like most about Houston? Good food!
What I like about Fulbright
What I like most about the Fulbright program is its network of talented people with brilliant minds who strive to inspire the next generations, and the opportunity it provides for cultural and intellectual exchanges of people from different backgrounds. The Fulbright program offers a major stepping stone for dreamers and go-getters to achieve their wildest dreams and aspirations.
Fun fact about me
I was a snare drummer in a marching band. I also like climbing, hiking, history, genealogy, anthropology and many more random things. My hobbies rotate seasonally.